Business Leaders to End Human Trafficking in Asia

Commitment by

Vital Voices Global Partnership

Vital Voices Global Partnership is committed to identify and engage business leaders in Asia to end human trafficking for both labor and sexual exploitation, and to motivate the business community in the region to incorporate anti-human trafficking activities as part of their business practices.

Partner(s) of the Commitment Maker(s)

Vital Voices Global Partnership is committed to raising public awareness about human trafficking in the business community. It will inspire and facilitate NGO-business-government partnerships to prevent human trafficking, and to encourage corporate anti-trafficking policies in their business practices. This two-year commitment will include two regional business summits in Hong Kong and New Delhi, private-public anti-trafficking partnership building, and anti-trafficking capacity building in the business sector.

Background

After years of intensive efforts to promote NGO and government collaboration in Asia, Vital Voices has identified the business sector as one of the most important, yet often overlooked sectors, in the fight against human trafficking. Vital Voices recognizes the crucial role of the international business community and has developed a strategy to mobilize vital business leaders to address trafficking for labor and sexual exploitation. Furthermore, poverty reduction through job creation is one primary solution to human trafficking. Business investment to create employment opportunities and to strengthen human resource capacity has proven to be an effective strategy to prevent human trafficking. Asia is particularly important because it is an emerging market with enormous potential for economic prosperity and women's rights protection.

Partnership Opportunities

Vital Voices Global Partnership is committed to raising public awareness about and encouraging action against human trafficking and modern-day slavery in the business community. It will inspire and facilitate NGO-business-government partnerships to prevent human trafficking, and to encourage corporate anti-trafficking policies in their business practices. This two-year commitment will include a launching summit in Hong Kong, two regional trainings in Singapore and New Delhi, private-public anti-trafficking partnership building, and capacity building in the business sector.
Vital Voices is seeking additional funding of$200,000 in order to complete the second phase of the project as well as companies with which to partner in India.

Progress Reports

August 2008
After years of intensive efforts to promote NGO and government collaboration in Asia, Vital Voices Global Partnership recognized that the business sector is one key, yet often overlooked, sector in the fight against human trafficking. Therefore, in 2006 Vital Voices committed to raising public awareness about human trafficking in the business community, to inspire NGO-business-government partnerships to prevent human trafficking, to encourage corporate anti-trafficking policies in their business practices, and to foster increased corporate social responsibility in this area. This two-year commitment included a regional business summit in Hong Kong, private-public anti-trafficking partnership building, public awareness efforts, and anti-trafficking capacity building in the business sector. The commitment has been not only accomplished but expanded to include businesses and organizations in the Gulf Region and elsewhere
August 2007
- Conducted further discussions with Microsoft, NGOs and potential partners in India about the second phase of the commitment to be held in India in February 2008
- Raised an additional $115,000 in funds, $35,999 in in-kind support and $100,000 in additional investment capital.
- Catalyzed 15 new companies to become involved in this movement.
- Held a launch event in Hong Kong, on April 19, 2007, bringing together 150 representatives from the
business community and civil society.
- Created tools for the business sector, such as an educational video and a Taking Action palm card. Compiled an account of 24 case studies describing corporate solutions to human trafficking, especially for sexual exploitation.
- Released a New Human Trafficking Study that links lack of citizenship with human trafficking in Thailand.
May 2007
- Held a launch event in Hong Kong, on April 19, 2007 bringing together 150 representatives from the business community and civil society to discuss innovative business strategies for combating human trafficking and slavery. The event focused on concrete corporate solutions as well as existing practices that addressed issues such as human trafficking for sexual and labor exploitation, as well as child sex tourism.
- Produced a three-minute video describing corporate solutions to the global challenge of human trafficking. This video will be expanded to include additional companies over the next two years.
- Created a 'Taking Action' palm card that includes actions the business community can take to combat human trafficking.
- Compiled an account of 24 case studies describing corporate solutions to human trafficking, especially for sexual exploitation.
March 2007
- Confirmed speakers for the summit include senior representatives from above-mentioned partners, as well as Nike, Motorola, MTV Foundation, CH2M Hill, Accor Hotels, Air France, Sears Inc., and various law firms and banks.
December 2006
The commitment was officially launched at the business summit in Hong Kong on November 13, 2006. Participants ranged from business and political leaders concerned about human trafficking in Asia and NGO representatives who have been collaborating with private and public sectors to advance women's rights and to end this global scourge.